How JPEF is Transforming Jacksonville's Educational Landscape, With Rachel Fortune

In this episode of Superintendent Unplugged, host and Strategos Partner Addison Davis sits down with Rachel Fortune, President of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund (JPEF), to explore the power of community-driven education reform.

With over 15 years of leadership experience, Fortune shares her passion for advancing educational equity and creating sustainable impact. She discusses JPEF’s role as a “think and do tank,” blending data-driven insights with real action to transform public education in Duval County. From tackling historic dropout rates to spearheading major tax referendums that secured funding for schools and educators, Fortune highlights how strategic community engagement can drive meaningful change.

Davis and Fortune also dive into the importance of teacher pipeline development, literacy initiatives, and workforce readiness in the evolving education landscape. They emphasize the critical role of partnerships—between schools, businesses, nonprofits, and local government—in ensuring students receive the support they need to succeed beyond the classroom.

Whether you’re an educator, policymaker, or community leader, this episode delivers powerful insights on how collaboration and innovative leadership can shape the future of education. Tune in to hear how Jacksonville is setting a precedent for impactful, data-driven reform—and why every district should have a strong education foundation working alongside its schools.

Listen now to Superintendent Unplugged and be inspired by the work happening in Jacksonville and beyond!

Key Moments

05:11 Jacksonville Schools Vision and Action

07:23 Data-Driven Collaborative Strategy

12:15 Imagining Future-Ready Public Schools

14:01 Enhancing School-Community Partnerships

Connect with Rachel Fortune

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-tutwiler-fortune-07605429/

Website: https://www.jaxpef.org/